Electric switch



Jan. 3, 1939. Rl F SAMBLESON 2,142,151

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Nov. l5, 1935 Inventor: Robert F'T Sambleson,

HIS

ttovrweld.

Fatented ian. it., iigtiii .STAT

'amarsi ennemie svt/mon Robert F. Sambleson, Bridgeport, (Coram, assigner to General Eiectric (Company, a corporation ci New York 'The present invention relates to electric switches of the type having hquid Contact circuit closers for controlling the flow of current.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved construction and arrangement in switches of this type, and for a consideration of what I believe to be novel and my invention attention is directed to the accompanying description and the claims appended thereto.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a sectional side elevation taken on line l-i of Fig. 2 of a switch. embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view partly broken away of the switch shown in Fig. i; Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the construction and operation of the liquid contact circuit closers.

Referring to the drawing, I have illustrated my invention using four liquid contact circuit closers, each having a pair ci cup-shaped metal terminalsr I which are separated by an insulating diaphragm 2 of a refractory material, such as a ceramic material. The edges of the terminals vare sealed by a bead 3 of glass which also seals the junctions between the diaphragm and the terminals. Within the space enclosed by the terminals is a suitable quantity of mercury 4 which forms the conducting medium between the terminals. In the manufacture of the cir cuit closer, the space enclosed by the terminals is evacuated and filled with hydrogen at a pressure of one or more atmospheres which increases the current interrupting capacity of the circuit ing 5 in the diaphragm is lifted from the mert cury. The above described construction is illus trative of liquid contact circuit closerswhich are suitable foruse in a switch embodying my invention.

The circuit closersv are arranged in a. housing 6 of molded insulating material in pairs with the inner terminals of each pair of circuit closers opposite each other land the outer terminals of each pair adjacent the side walls of the housing. Between the inner terminals of each of the pairs Due to the construction of the ci circuit closers a U-shaped contact i haieing a projection i3 on each arm .which fits into a depression Q in the terminal oi the adjacent circuit closer. Each oi the contacts l is pivotaily connected by means of a rivet i@ to a contact strip ill. if desired, this connection may be rigid in order to improve the conductivity. The

contact strip ii iies along the bottom wall ofthe housing and, as shown in Fig.. 3, a clearance hole i2 for the rivet it is provided in the bottom Wali ci the housing. The contact strip ii is secured to thel housing by means of a spunover portion i3 of an insert id molded in the housing. A terminal screw i5 is threaded into y permits the contacts l to extend in opposite directions from the ends of the contact strips ii, and thereby permits the use of identical parts while still permitting the contact strips ii to terminate in terminals at the same end of the housing. Between the side Walls of the housing and the outer terminals of the circuit closers are contact strips I6 each provided with two projections l1 which t respectively into a depression I8 in each of the outer terminals of the circuit closers. The projections ,8 and il provide ball and socket connections between the contacts and the terminals ofthe circuit closers and thereby support the circuit closers for rotation about their axes and also conduct current to the terminals. The wiping action between the contacts and the terminals prevents increase of contact resistance. 'I'he side walls of the housing prevent spreading of the contacts YI6 land thereby hold the circuit closers in assembled relation. The contact strips i6 arey secured to the housing in the same manner as the contact strips Il.

The terminals I are provided with depressions i9 and between the adjacent terminals of each l pair of circuit closers extends a pin 20, the ends of which t into the depressions i8. The pins 20 are carried by a linlr 2i which comprises two spaced strips 2Iaof insulating material which are arranged-between the arms of the Ushaped contacts l. The link 2l and the pins 2G con= neet the circuit closers so that they rotate in unison. The upper surface of the strips 2te is flat, and springs 22 which bear on this surface hold-the pins 2D in the vdepressions i9. The springs 22 also exert a downward force on the circuit closersvthrough the pins 20:l and press the depressions S and I8 in the terminals against the projections 3 and l of the Contacts, thereby closers each having an enclosure including' opincreasing the contact pressure. The spring posed cup-shaped terminals, contacts engaging strips 22 are held in place by a mounting strap said terminals, said contacts and said terminals 23 which is secured across the upper end of the having complementary projections and depreshousing by screws 24. A tongue 22 on each sions whereby the circuit closers are supported of the strips 22 bears against the end wall of for rotation about the axes of their terminals, the housing and prevents turning of the strips. a reciprocable link pivotally connected to the The mounting strap is provided with depending circuit closers for operating the circuit closers, ears 25 between whichis pivoteda pin 26 to and resilient means engaging said ylink for exwhich a handle 2l is secured. The handle is erting a force on the circuit closers transversely provided with a rigid projecting link 28 having to their axes of rotation whereby the contact an open slot 29 in -its .end which ts over a pin pressure between the terminals and the contacts 30 carried between the insulating strips 2|, As is increased. the handle is pivoted between the ears 25 the 2. In an electric switch, liquid contact circuit sliding connection provided between slot 29 and closers each having an enclosure including opthe pin 30 causes the link 2i to be reciprocated posed cup-shaped terminals, contacts engaging and thereby causes the circuit closers to be rosaid terminals, said contacts and said terminals tated. During the reciprocation of the link 2|, having complementary projections and depresthe pins 20 pivot in the depressions I9 and the sions whereby the circuit closers are supported springs 22 hold the pins 20 in the depressions for rotation about the axes of their terminals, i9. During the reciprocation of the link 2|, the g a reciprocable link connecting said circuit closers, link has a movement toward the bottom of the the connection between said link and said cirhousing as the link is on either side of the cencuit closers including depressions in said tertral position, and the springs 22 therefore tend minals and projections on said link fitting thereto hold the link in either of its extreme posiin, and resilient means engaging said link for tions. exerting a force on the circuit closers transversely In the assembly of the switch, the liquid conto their axes of rotation whereby the contact tact circuit closers are assembled between the pressure between the terminals and the contacts contacts 'i and i6, the contacts being arranged is increased. as shown in Fig. 2. The assembly is then in- 3. In an electric switch, four liquid contact ser'ted in the housing and the contacts secured circuit closers each having an enclosure includto the housing by the spun-over portions I3 of ing opposed cup-shaped terminals, said circuit the linserts I 4. When in this position, the side closers being arranged in pairs with the inner walls of the housing prevent spreading of the terminals of each pair opposite each other, a contacts I6, and the circuit closers are therefore pair of contacts each frictionally engaging the securely held within the housing and supported inner terminals of one of the pairs of circuit for rotation about their axes. The link 2| is then closers, a pair of contacts each frictionally enplaced between the circuit closers and the circuit gaging two of the outer terminals of the circuit closers are turned so that the pins 20 fit in the closers, said contacts and said terminals havdepressions i9. Spring strips 22 are then placed ing complementary projections and depressions on the top or the housing, and the mounting whereby the circuit closers are supported for rostrip 23 is secured to the housing clamping the tation about the axes of their terminals, and spring strips 22 in place. During this latter asmeans for rotating said circuit closers in unison, sembly, the slot 29 is placed over the pin 30 on said circuit closers being arranged so that a cirthe link 2|. cuit is completed from one of the contacts con- In the use of the switch, the switch is mounted nected to the inner terminals of the circuit in an outlet box, the. right-hand end of the closers alternatively to one of the contacts conmounting strap 23 being at the upper e`nd of nected to the outer terminals of the circuit the outlet box. When in this position, the circlosers. cuit connections and the operation of the switch 4. In an electric switch, four liquid contact is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 4. circuit closers, each having opposed terminals, convenience, the terminals of the switch have aid circuit closers being arranged in pairs with been labeled A, B, C, and D, and the position the inner terminals of each pair opposite each of the handle 2l has been diagrammatically other, a pair of contacts each connected respecshown on each of the circuit closers. As is aptively to the inner terminals of one of the pairs parent from Fig. 4, when the handle 21 is in of circuit closers, a pair of contacts each conthe raised position, a circuit is completed from nected respectively to two of the outer terminals terminal B to terminal C and from terminal A of the circuit closers on the same side of the to terminal D. When the handle 21 is in the switch, and means for rotating said circuit closers lower or dotted line position a circuit is comin unison, said circuit closers being arranged so pleted between terminal B and terminal D and that a circuit is completed from one of the conbetween terminal A and terminal C, and the clrtacts connected to the inner terminals of the cuits mentioned in the preceding sentence are circuit closers alternatively to one of the line broken. The switch therefore provides a doublecontacts connected to the Outer terminals 0f pole reversing switch or a four-way switch in the cll'cuil clOScI'S- which the making and breaking of each circuit 5. In an electric Switch. four liquid Contact is effected by means of a separate liquid contact circuit clOSeI'S eech having opposed terminals, circuit closer. It is apparent that by making said circuit closers being arranged in pairs with suitable changes in the location of the openings the inner terminals 0f each pair opposite each 5 in the diaphragm 2 or the location of the deother, a pair of U-shaned contacts each fricpressions i9 that the switch can be arranged for tionally engaging the inner terminals of one 0f mounting in other than a vertical position. the pairs 0f circuit ClOSerS, 8 Deir of contacte What I claim as new and desire to secure by each frictionally engaging tWO of the outer tel- Letters patent of the United States, is; minals of the circuit closers on the same side 1. In an electric switch, liquid contact circuit 0f the Switch, and means for rotating Seid circuit closers in unison, said circuit closers being arranged so that a circuit is completed from one oi the contacts connected to the inner terminals of the circuit closers alternatively to one oi the contacts connected to the outer terminals of the circuit closers.

6. In an electric switch, liquid contact circuit closers, means for supporting the circuit closers for rotation about spaced axes, a reciprocable link having pivotal connections with circuit closers whereby the circuit closers are rotated in unison, and resilient means engaging said link and exerting' a force thereon perpendicular to the reciprocal movement thereof whereby the link is resiliently held at either end of its movement.

7. In an electric switch, electric contact circuit closers, means for supporting the circuit closers for rotation about said spaced axes, a reciprocable link, pivotal connections between said link and the circuit closers whereby the circuit closers are rotated in unison, at least one of said connections comprising a pin fitting in a depression, and means exerting a force on said link perpendicular to the reciprocal movement whereby said connection is maintained during the reciprocal movement of the link.

8. In an electric switch, liquid contact circuit closers, means for supporting the circuit closers for rotation about its spaced axes, a reciprocable link having projections therein tting in complementary depressions in said circuit closers whereby the circuit closers are rotated in unison, and spring means exerting a force on said link holding said projections in said depressions during the reciprocal movement on the link.r

9. In an electric switch, liquid contact circuit closers operable by rotation about their axes, said circuit'closers having opposed terminals and being arranged for rotation about spaced axes, contacts frictionally engaging said terminals, said contacts and said terminals having ntertting projections and depressions providing bearing surfaces whereby the circuit closers are supported for rotation by said contacts, the diameter of said bearing surfaces being relatively great compared to the Wall thickness of said projections and depressions, a reciprocable link having pivotal connections with the terminals of said circuit closers whereby the circuit closers are rotated in unison, and resilient means exerting a force on said link perpendicular to its reciprocal movement whereby the contact pressure between said terminals and said contacts is increased.

10. In an electric switch,` four electric contact circuit closers each having opposed terminals, said circuit closers being arranged in pairs with the inner terminals of each pair opposite each other, a pair of contact strips each frictionallyvr engaging the inner terminals of one pair of circuit closers, a pair of Contact strips each frictionally engaging two of the outer terminals of the circuit closers on the same side of the switch, said strips and said terminals having intertting projections and depressions providing bearing surfaces whereby the circuit closers are supported for rotation, the diameter of said bearing surfaces being relatively great compared to the thickness of the strips, and means for rotating said circuit closers in unison, said circuit closers being arranged so that a ycircuit is completed from one of the contacts connected to the inner terminals of the circuit closers alternatively to one of the contacts connected to the outer terminals.

11. In a double pole reversing switch, four liquid contact circuit closers, each having opposed terminals, one pair of the circuit closers being arranged adjacent each other on one side of the switch and the other pair of the circuit closers being arranged adjacent each other on the other side of the switch, the circuit closers on one side of the switch being opposite the circuit closers on the other side of the switch, a pair of contacts on opposite sides of the switch respectively connecting two of the terminals of the adjacent circuit closers, and a pair of contacts respectively connecting the remaining terminals of the opposite circuit closers.

ROBERT F. SAMBLESON. 

